I alluded to the fact in the last blog selection that an
adventure was coming. Well, it most certainly was. I went from Chicago to
Newark to Boston just via flight, then added other places after that,
eventually winding up in New York City. Now, know this about me – I have a very
limited realm of travelling experience. My furthest trips anywhere (other than
where I was born, or where we went when I was small and my dad was in the army)
are Las Vegas, Reno, and Orlando. Las Vegas and Reno were necessity – my
daughter and my aunt lived in those places. Orlando was vacation, and I went
once when I was young, and once when my daughter was young. This trip for me
was pure adventure, through and through.
I do find airports fascinating, which is in complete
contrast to many folks, I’m sure. Why you ask? It’s not the shops, the food, or
– dear God – the restrooms. I find airports fascinating for the people you find
there. I am a people watcher, born and bred. I see so many stories at an
airport terminal. I see young love, loss, joyous reunions, painful separations,
business travelers, people looking for something, people escaping something –
stories to fill multiple books, possibly libraries. I can amuse myself at an
airport – not an issue. I landed in Newark, and other than going from one gate
to another in a cross country trek, it was just a chance for observation as
usual. Many business travelers, many impatient folks waiting to board their
planes – I got to see it all.
I arrived in Boston, and met my companion, and off we went
seeking adventure. Now I will tell you that he enjoys adventure as much as I do
– probably more. We both share a love of history and literature. I was taken to
the Old North Bridge for exploration, which my history geek was digging on
hard. Give me a piece of history, and I will show you a gal who can’t get
enough of it. I am someone who sees a picture in a magazine, or hears of a
battle on television, or sees a brief excerpt in a book she is reading, and I
immediately have to go to Google or Wikipedia to learn more. My mind was
spinning as we read the information about the history of the place. Ah,
education!
From here, a suggestion was made to see if I wanted to go to
Walden Pond. Bliss! Rapture! The writer in me was doing her happy dance, as I
agreed wholeheartedly to go. Such an inspiring place. I could have stared out
over the water for hours. Not only was the place inspirational - the company
was fabulous, and I felt content and special.
My weekend adventure was filled with many moments like the
above. I will share some of my experience, but also want to keep part of them
to myself. Call me selfish. My amiable companion and I shared something pretty
amazing, and as much as I’d like to shout all of it from the rooftops, I prefer
to keep a piece between just the two of us. Hate to disappoint, but I think you
all should understand that.
The sight of New York City filled me with extreme
wonderment. I think my jaw dropped upon first sight, and my mouth remained open
until we left. To describe it, I need many words. Colossal. Monumental.
Bewitching. For my highbrow writer friends – pulchritudinous. Simply put, this
is the most impressive place I have ever been. It’s different from Las Vegas,
which is also a mecca for international people watching, but in such an
incomparable way. Street carts with food, a place to buy knock offs on many a
corner – what an incredible adventure. I thank my companion for a mind
expanding experience.
My companion experienced a bucket list moment with a dinner
for the two of us at Gordon Ramsay at the London. I now know that my table
etiquette needs a tad bit of polish. I am not some Ellie Mae sitting at the
table, mind you. However, this is BY FAR the fanciest place I have ever eaten
at. There were times that I was quite self-conscious, but the fact that I
thought people were staring at me was exaggerated in my mind. Superb food, sublime
atmosphere, unbelievably unique time – what a rush! I can’t believe that I got
to be part of this unbelievable exploit, and I feel truly special.
Everything was perfect. I am hard pressed to come up with a
more exceptional vacation. I became part of sophistication, grace, and complexity
once again. My education can come out and play, after being dormant for so
long, chained away in the deepest darkest dungeon.
I could rhapsodize on my exemplary time for hours, but I won’t.
You will just have to connect the dots, and put those puzzle pieces together on
your own. I will talk to you all again soon.
Until we meet again,
Angie French
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